Spain’s new-car sales increased 14 percent in October even as tensions over Catalonia's bid to gain independence created an uncertain business environment.

Registrations rose to 94,676, according to industry association ANFAC, helped by an additional working day compared with October 2016.

Catalonia represents about 15 percent of total registrations in Spain, according to Lorenzo Vidal de la Pena, president of dealer association GANVAM. He said the industry needs a quick solution to the Catalonia crisis to guarantee stability and consumer confidence.

See Pg. 5 in PDF, above right, for Spain sales by brand for October and 10 months.

Through ten months, registrations in Spain are up 7.3 percent to 1.02 million. Registrations in Catalonia increased 6.9 percent to 157,250 through October. Catalonia represents 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Sales to private customers were up 11 percent in October and rose 3.1 percent in the first 10 months. Demand from companies remains strong, with business fleet registrations jumping 19 percent in October. Sales to rental companies grew 10 percent.

Diesel share at 45.8 percent of total sales was the lowest monthly figure for the year to date.